Top 5 places for forest bathing in south west London and Surrey
Top 5 places for forest bathing in south west London and Surrey
Pictured top: Fettle Fields
Shrinrin-Yoku, the ancient Japanese practise of forest bathing, takes you on mindful walks and meditations in nature. It’s a peaceful and sensory experience, where you allow the sights, smells and sounds of the forest to ground you in the present and help you to reconnect with the earth around you. You can follow an expert guide through nature’s gardens, on a guided practice that promises to leave you feeling calm, re-centred and connected with the world.
The best part: you don’t even have to travel very far! Here are the best local parks and woodland where you can enjoy forest bathing in London and Surrey.
1
Claremont Landscape Garden
You can join holistic health mentor Nigel Grimes at the gorgeous Claremont Landscape Garden NT, Esher for peaceful and mindful forest bathing sessions this summer. Take the time to slow down, breathe fresh air and enjoy nature’s healing properties surrounded by the beauty of the trees. Nigel is a qualified guide with the Institute of Forest Bathing, who grew up in Kingston, inspired by the natural beauty of the trees, he leads public, private and corporate sessions around south west London, from Richmond Park to Wimbledon Common and the Surrey Hills.
PROMOTED
2
Wimbledon Common
You can try out Creative Mindfulness sessions with Fettle Fields on Wimbledon Common: two-hour long sessions that combine elements of forest bathing with mindful journaling and photography. This allows you to explore and expand your creativity alongside a relaxing spell of forest bathing. Mindful journaling can help improve mental clarity, increase self-compassion, encourage creativity, and cultivate calmness in our daily lives. Mindful photography encourages you to look at the world around you with new eyes, and to create art with playfulness, facilitating deeper connections through creativity in nature.
PROMOTED
3
Cannizaro Park
At the magnificent and historic Cannizaro Park, you can partake in a guided sensory walk through the trees led by Susanne Meis, an experienced forest bathing guide and nature wellbeing educator. Enjoy a slow and guided sensory walk where you can explore the woodland of Cannizaro, allowing nature’s beauty to ground you in the present moment.
4
West Horsley Place
Forest bathing instructor Lisa Duncan will be leading forest bathing sessions on a Wellness Day at West Horsley Place. The session starts with an introduction to forest bathing, followed by a slow walk through the woodland surrounding the grand manor house. There will be steps for sensory invitations and sharing circles, and finishing with a Japanese-influenced woodland tea ceremony.
5
Kew Gardens
Kew Gardens will be hosting forest bathing over various dates, taking place in the stunning grounds. The spring route follows a trail of seasonal blooms, including cherry trees and daffodils, as well as the waterfall at Temperate House. Discover the tallest tree at Kew and touch a cuddly giant redwood!
